Brussels Airport Reunites 24% of Lost Items with Owners
In 2024, Brussels Airport welcomed 23.6 million passengers. With so many travellers passing through, it’s no wonder that items occasionally go astray in the terminal. Last year alone, travellers left a total of 27,815 items in trays at security checkpoints or other areas of the airport. Approximately 24% of these items were reunited with their rightful owners. Much of the lost property that remains uncollected is donated to charitable organisations.
Every day, an average of 65,000 passengers travel through Brussels Airport, typically carrying plenty of baggage and belongings. However, from time to time, items are accidentally left behind at the airport. In cases involving checked baggage, passengers should contact their airline. All other misplaced items are registered by Brussels Airport’s Lost & Found service. They strive to return the forgotten items to their owners.
28,000 items lost, 24% found
A total of 27,815 lost items were found in 2024, both at security checkpoints and other places at the airport. The items mostly include clothing, identity documents, jewellery, laptops, unchecked baggage and wallets. But smartphones, keys and toys also often go missing. In 2024, even larger items like prams, djembes, and a television set were left behind at the airport. Approximately 24% of lost items, or about a quarter, are eventually returned to their owners. These include laptops, identity documents, clothing, jewellery and wallets. 74% of objects returned to their owners within two weeks.
Around two-thirds of all lost items at the airport are recovered in the Connector, the area between the security checkpoints and the Piers. Brussels Airport actively promotes awareness in that area, encouraging travellers to check for forgotten items after security screening before they proceed with their journey.
Brussels Airport also urges passengers to always report their lost items via its website. Found items are kept at the airport for up to six months. Once the owner has been identified, they can come and collect the items themselves or have them sent to them. Identity cards, passports, and other official documents are transferred to the federal police after one month, after which they can no longer be retrieved.
Uncollected items donated to charities
One of Brussels Airport’s strategic pillars is sustainability. Items that have been with the Lost & Found service for six months are often given a second life. For instance, the airport works with the Centre for General Welfare Centre (CAW) to donate abandoned clothing to those experiencing homelessness. Unclaimed electronic devices are donated to the non-profit organisation Close The Gap, which distributes used electronics to social, medical, and educational initiatives. In 2024, Brussels Airport donated a total of 193 mobile phones and 229 tablets to this non-profit organisation.
Opened food products are recycled for hygiene reasons. Packages that are large and unopened, as well as liquids like shampoo, deodorant, and drink containers that are not permitted through security, are given to local social welfare centres. In 2024, Brussels Airport donated a total of 26,200 kg of these products.
Remaining unclaimed items, such as belts and glasses, are processed and sold through an auction house.
